Zachary Christopoulos, a member of Troop 618 in Rancho Santa Margarita since 2006, chose to do his Eagle Scout project at the Audubon Society's Starr Ranch Sanctuary. He helped to restore, re-side, and fireproof three walls of the tack house in the sanctuary. He completed the project with a team of volunteers in four days. Christopoulos has earned 31 merit badges and held several leadership positions within the troop including historian, assistant patrol leader, patrol leader, Order of the Arrow representative, assistant senior patrol leader, senior patrol leader and instructor. His current position is junior assistant Scoutmaster. He is also a member of Order of the Arrow, Scouting's National Honor Society. His Court of Honor was held on March 23 at the Norman Murray Community and Senior Center in Mission Viejo.

BUILDING FOR ABUSE VICTIMS

Two Scouts from Troop 776 have been honored by the Laguna Hills Mayor Barbara Kogerman with a certificate of recognition for earning the rank of Eagle Scout. For his Eagle Scout project, Scott Matthew Robison built wood donation boxes for south Orange County's Domestic Abuse Shelter Laura's House in Ladera Ranch. He was able to raise the money for the materials by selling items on Craigslist. Robison organized a work day where several Scouts and leaders worked together sawing, sanding, building and staining the large boxes. The donation boxes are used to collect items Laura's House will use to help women and children who are victims of domestic abuse. Tyler Braithwaite's Eagle project also benefited Laura's House. He made a sand tray and a shelving unit which is used for play therapy for children.

WRITING GRANT

All of the third graders at Serra Catholic School in Rancho Santa Margarita has been awarded a $500 grant to use in their classrooms. Under the direction of third grade teacher Christine Monge and along with Studentreasures, the students wrote books based about thankfulness. In the process, they learned how to collaborate with classmates to write, illustrate and publish their work. Studenteasures publishes students' writing into hardbound books through several free programs that are offered to schools.

At a year-end awards ceremony, three of Elkdom's highest awards were presented. Citizen of the Year went to Randles, Officer of the Year to Rusie and Elk of the Year to Jacobs.

ARTIST WINNER

Trabuco Hills High School student Madeline Klein, 16, of Trabuco Canyon won first place at the Color It Orange student art show in Laguna Beach. She was awarded a $1,500 summer scholarship to Laguna College of Art and Design.

PAGEANT COMPETITOR

Suzanne Millhollen Goodrich of Rancho Santa Margarita will compete in the Miss Senior Orange County pageant Saturday. The pageant will be held at the Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center, 24923 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo. Tickets are $10.

NEW BEGINNINGS

Girls ages 12-18 years have celebrated their annual New Beginnings event with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints in Rancho Santa Margarita. The program includes the girls working with their parents, Young Women leaders and other women to set goals based on the eight Young Women values, such as faith, integrity and good works. At the end of the four-year Young Women's program, the girls will receive a Young Womanhood Recognition award that includes a certificate and gold medallion.

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